America, Who Hurt You? - Foment Productions

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Season 2 coming in March Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

America is crashing out, but it’s not too late take the wheel. Coming in March, Sarah Jones is back to explore our collective trauma, how those wounds drive politics, and ways we can move forward with empathy and community. Ben Stiller, Yvette Nicole Brown, Bryan Stevenson, Elizabeth Gilbert, and more join the conversation.

You can follow Sarah Jones, see pod updates, and respond to AWHY prompts @yesimsarahjones on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Send your responses to our weekly prompts to producer@fomentproductions.com.

Before You Move Out of America, Consider Moving Toward Love w Sonya Renee Taylor Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

On this season finale of “America, Who Hurt You?” Sarah Jones sits down with New York Times bestselling author and activist, Sonya Renee Taylor to discuss why radical self love IS the moment. Yes, even in the face of oppressive systems and the current American Bro-ligarchy. Sonya reminds us that, in order to build the world we want to live in, we must first unlearn all the myths telling us we are unworthy of it.

The Only Way Out is Through (Community) w. Sophia Bush Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

In case the holiday season and heading into (project 🫠) 2025 is feeling like an emotional mixed bag, this week Sarah Jones sits down with actress, producer, and activist, Sophia Bush for her take on how to show up for change and healing both individually and collectively. After coming through a year of personal upheaval to find freedom on the other side, Sophia has plenty of wisdom to drop on how returning to our true selves and the support of community can give us the strength to face what might seem impossible.

You Can’t Ban What’s Always Been Here: Islam in America w. Kashif Shaikh Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

Even with the most urgent issues facing the US as we head into (Project) 2025, our foreign policy on the Middle East and Islam are right at the top. And if you think it only affects people overseas, just ask Muslim Americans how the consequences play out stateside in their everyday lives. This week, host Sarah Jones talks to Kashif Shaikh, president and co-founder of Pillars Fund, an organization that raises money to support Muslim American artists and civics groups as they fight Islamophobia. Kashif reveals the long history of Muslims in the US dating back to slavery, and how US narratives about Muslims hide the complex diversity and joy he sees in his community.

It’s (Thanks)Giving Trauma w. Paul Scheer Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

If you need a pre-Thanksgiving pep talk, this is the episode for you. This week host Sarah Jones talks to Paul Scheer about his New York Times best seller Joyful Recollections of Trauma and how to both love your family AND still hold space for yourself. Whether you can’t swallow how your cousin voted or you’re stuffing (😬) down unacknowledged childhood trauma, you’re not alone. This episode just might help you decide whether keeping the peace is worth hiding your truth.

Your Post-Election Rage Might Be Your New Bestie w. Dr. Jennifer Mullan Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

Politics got you rethinking your mental health? You’re not alone! In the aftermath of the election, some are considering therapy for the first time, while others may be wondering if their current therapeutic practices are really addressing the grief they’re experiencing. This week, Sarah Jones talks to psychologist and best-selling author of Decolonizing Therapy Dr. Jennifer Mullan about the importance of healing, and how the ‘mental health industrial complex’ replicates the same oppression that can drive both our politics and our personal trauma.

We WILL Make It Through... But First We Nap w. Ashley Allison and Maurice Mitchell Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

Well, we survived the election; now we just have to… keep going. This week, host Sarah Jones pushes through the exhaustion with CNN commentator Ashley Allison and national director of the Working Families Party Maurice Mitchell to break down what really happened. And more importantly what in the (literal?) hell is next, for all of us, but especially Black folks who understood the assignment while others barely showed up for class.

No Person Is Illegal— Ask an Undocumented Citizen w. Jose Antonio Vargas Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

With the election a week away, polls show immigration is a top issue for voters even though most Americans have no idea how our immigration system actually works, or how much our society depends on the contributions of immigrants, both documented and not. This week, Sarah sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and founder of Define American, Jose Antonio Vargas to break down some of the legal and personal barriers facing undocumented Americans. From limits on sponsoring family’s visas to how racism informs our perception of immigration, Jose highlights just how much humanity is missing from this discourse.

Understanding Project 2025 Is the Ultimate "Black Job" w. Janai Nelson Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

Project 2025 may be the Heritage Foundation’s plan for next year, but its strategies are built to set equality back decades, especially for groups already dealing with America’s legacy of discrimination. This week, host Sarah Jones is joined by Janai Nelson, the President and Director Council of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, to break down Project 2025’s threat to Black communities. Whether you care about reproductive rights, justice reform, or equality in education, Janai explains how these policies will severely impact Black and brown Americans most of all.

Find out if you're registered to vote here!

Renewable Energy: How to Stay in the Climate Fight w. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

This week on #AmericaWhoHurtYou, author and climate policy expert Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (@ayanaeliza ) is ringing the alarm about the climate crisis, but in a way that offers real solutions, including how to do our small part in practical ways AND hold the biggest climate culprits (hiii fossil fuel execs and paid for politicians!) accountable. Spoiler alert: we have to VOTE both with our ballots and our dollars.

Get Ayana's Book Here for 20% Off with Code AYANA20

Fill out your Climate Action Venn Diagram here!

And find out how to divest your retirement from fossil fuels here!

Don’t miss this must-listen conversation that will give you a helpful to-do list and even an anti-apocalypse playlist! Tune in wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

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